Effects of Transdermal Testosterone Tretment on Inflammatory Markers in Elderly Males

ObjectiveDuring the male aging process, testosterone (T) levels progressively fall and inflammatory biomarkers increase. Although a relationship between these 2 phenomena has been tested in previous clinical trials, there is inconclusive evidence about the potential anti-inflammatory action of T.MethodsA total of 108 healthy males > 65 years with serum T concentration < 475 ng/dL were recruited by direct mailings to alumni of the University of Pennsylvania and Temple University and randomized to 60-cm² T or a placebo patch for 36 months. Ninety-six subjects completed the trial. Information and stored serum specimens from this trial were used to test the hypothesis of the inhibitory effect of T on inflammation. We evaluated 70 males (42 in the T group) who had banked specimens from multiple time points available for assays of T, C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, soluble TNF-α receptor-1 (TNFR1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and soluble IL-6 receptors (sIL6r and sgp130).ResultsThe mean age ± SD at baseline was 71.8 ± 4.9 years. Testosterone replacement therapy for 36 months did not induce significant decreases in inflammatory markers. A trend toward a significant increase was observed in the placebo group for TNF-α (P = .03) and sgp130 (P = .01). Significant differences in estimated means of TNFR1 (but not other inflammatory markers), with lower levels in the T group, were observed at the 36-month time point. In T-treated subjects we found an almost significant treatment × time interaction term TNFR1 (P = .02) independent of total body fat content as assessed by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). No serious adverse effect was observed.ConclusionsTransdermal T treatment of older males for 36 months is not associated with significant changes in inflammatory markers. (Endocr Pract. 2014;20:1170-1177)     

Seasonal Parameters in Newborns under Conditions of the European North

Data on all births in women of the city of Syktyvkar and adjacent villages (38 377 and 3828 births, respectively) were analyzed for the period from 1980 to 1999. Data on the women's age at childbirth, the delivery time, the body weight and length of the newborns, and their scores on the Apgar scale were taken into account. The season was found to be of importance for pregnancy and was associated with the woman's age at conception. The birth outcome parameters were identified as sensitive markers of the effect of unavoidable environmental factors of the North on the bodies of its residents.     

Significance of Electrocardiographic Changes in Hypertension

Studies in 17 hypertensive patients showed that the electrocardiographic features of T-wave inversion and S–T segment depression distinguish those patients with higher systolic blood pressures. They do not indicate impaired cardiac function.     

Age-Related Changes in Microglia of the Rat Spinal Cord

Journal of Evolutionary Biochemistry and Physiology - The aim of this study was to evaluate age-related changes in microglial cells in various regions of the cervical spinal cord in young (4...     

Developmental and Age-Related Changes in Rat Brain Glycosaminoglycans

The quantities of each major class of glycosaminoglycan were determined in rat cerebrum from postnatal day 5 to 30 months of age. Chondroitin sulphate, dermatan sulphate, heparan sulphate, heparin, and hyaluronate were found, but no keratan sulphate was detected. Large and rapid changes in glycosaminoglycan content were observed during the period of brain maturation, and thereafter relatively steady levels were maintained until after the age of 12 months. The most remarkable change in the aged rat cerebrum was the ratio by weight of hyaluronate to chondroitin sulphate, which was approximately 1:1 from postnatal day 10 to 18 months but increased to 2.6:1 by the age of 30 months. In immature rats, the proportion of nonsulphated and 6-sulphated disaccharides derived from chondroitinase AC digests of brain glycosaminoglycans was much greater than in adults. In mature rats, chondroitin sulphate was composed almost entirely of 4-sulphated disaccharide subunits. The possibility that these changes could affect the permeability properties of the cerebral extracellular space and ionic equilibria in the brain is discussed.     

Age-Related Changes in Attention and Impulsivity in Young Schoolchildren

Normative values of attention, impulsivity, response time, and response time variability were determined for seven- to ten-year-old children with the continuous performance Test of Variables of Attention (TOVA). An age-related increase in attention and a decrease in impulsivity, response time, and its variability were revealed. Differences in TOVA scores were studied for students of gymnasia and schools providing general education.     

Age-Related Changes in Expectation-Based Modulation of Motion Detectability

Expecting motion in some particular direction biases sensitivity to that direction, which speeds detection of motion. However, the neural processes underlying this effect remain underexplored, especially in the context of normal aging. To address this, we examined younger and older adults'' performance in a motion detection task. In separate conditions, the probability was either 50% or 100% that a field of dots would move coherently in the direction a participant expected (either vertically or horizontally). Expectation and aging effects were assessed via response times (RT) to detect motion and electroencephalography (EEG). In both age groups, RTs were fastest when motion was similar to the expected direction of motion. RT tuning curves exhibited a characteristic U-shape such that detection time increased with an increasing deviation from the participant''s expected direction. Strikingly, EEG results showed an analogous, hyperbolic curve for N1 amplitude, reflecting neural biasing. Though the form of behavioral and EEG curves did not vary with age, older adults displayed a clear decline in the speed of detection and a corresponding reduction in EEG N1 amplitude when horizontal (but not vertical) motion was expected. Our results suggest that expectation-based detection ability varies with age and, for older adults, also with axis of motion.     

Epigenetic Changes and Its Intervention in Age-Related Neurodegenerative Diseases

Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology - Epigenetic mechanisms involving the modulation of gene activity without modifying the DNA bases are reported to have lifelong effects on mature neurons in...     

Age-Related Changes in the Yeast Component of the Drosophila melanogaster Microbiome

Microbiology - Drosophila melanogaster fruit flies are an important model for studying the multifaceted interactions between a multicellular organism and its microbiome. The nature of these...     

Age-Related Changes in Collagen and Glycosaminoglycans of Rat Gingiva1

Age-related changes in collagen and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) of rat gingiva were studied biochemically and histologically. The components of isolated GAGs were identified as dermatan sulphate, hyaluronic acid, and heparan sulphate. In histological studies, hyaluronic acid was present in all regions of the gingiva, whereas dermatan sulphate and heparan sulphate were present only in gingival connective tissue. However, there was no significant difference in the relationship between aging, and the content or distribution of GAGs. On the other hand, histological findings showed that collagen fibers were markedly increased in number and the vascular composition was decreased with increasing age. In biochemical studies, the content of collagen, especially of insoluble collagen, was greatly increased with age, whereas collagen biosynthesis and collagenolytic activity were markedly decreased. In addition, lysyl oxidase activity was also significantly decreased with age. The results indicate that the rate of collagen turnover decreases and collagen fibers increase in stability in rat gingiva with increasing age. These observed age-related changes may affect the ability of gingiva to respond to local irritants.     

Changes in Endocrine Orcadian Rhythms as Markers of Physiological and Pathological Brain Aging

We studied the circadian rhythm of plasma melatonin, growth hormone (GH), prolactin (PRL), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and Cortisol in 52 mentally healthy old subjects, 35 old demented patients, and 22 clinically healthy young controls. When compared to young controls, the circadian profile of plasma melatonin of old subjects, both demented or not, was clearly flattened, particularly during the night. The selective impairment of nocturnal melatonin secretion was significantly related to both the age and the severity of mental impairment (Mini Mental State Examination [MMSE] score). The PRL and GH circadian profiles were similar in the three groups during the day, but a significant lowering of the values recorded during the night occurred with aging. The impairment of the nocturnal secretion was related to the subjects' age and, for the GH secretory pattern only, also to the MMSE score. The ACTH circadian profile was similar in the three groups studied, even when old subjects exhibited higher ACTH levels throughout the 24h cycle, compared to young controls. Significantly higher Cortisol values at evening- and nighttime occurred in elderly subjects and particularly in the demented group. Both the mean levels and the nadir values of plasma Cortisol were positively related to age and negatively to MMSE score. In order to verify the sensitivity of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis to the steroid feedback, the circadian profile of plasma Cortisol was evaluated also after dexamethasone (DXM) administration (1 mg at 23:00h); the sensitivity of the HPA axis was significantly impaired in old subjects and particularly in the demented ones. These findings suggest that the neuroendocrine alterations already present in physiological aging, due to both anatomical damages and unbalanced central neurotransmitters, are enhanced in senile dementia. (Chronobiology International, 14(4), 385–396, 1997)     

Age-Related Changes in Nestling Diet of the Cooperatively Breeding Green Woodhoopoe

In many socially monogamous bird species, parents of altricial young respond to the increasing demands of growing nestlings by increasing their feeding rate and the size of prey items delivered and by altering the types of prey provided. In some cooperatively breeding species, similar changes in feeding rate and prey size have been documented. However, potential changes in the types of prey delivered, both as nestlings age and by different group members, remain largely unexplored. Moreover, studies rarely compare the diet fed to nestlings with that eaten by the provisioning adults themselves. Here, I show that green woodhoopoe ( Phoeniculus purpureus ) nestlings receive a smaller proportion of spiders and larger proportions of caterpillars and centipedes as they grow older. Both male and female adults delivered a higher proportion of spiders to young nestlings than they ate while self-feeding, probably in response to particular nutritional requirements of the chicks. However, only males altered the proportions of caterpillars and centipedes delivered, providing smaller proportions to young nestlings than eaten themselves. These prey items may be too large for young nestlings to handle, and males may make a greater adjustment in provisioning diet than females because they collect more caterpillars and centipedes than do females. Although there were sex differences in provisioning diet, there were no differences between same-sex breeders and helpers in terms of the overall proportions of prey delivered or the changes with nestling age. Hence, individuals of different reproductive status may be following the same provisioning rules, at least in terms of prey type.     

Parameters of the Body's Provision with Riboflavin and Activity of Glutathione Reductase in Residents of the European North of Russia

The provision of residents of the European North of Russia with vitamin B ₂ (riboflavin (RBF)) and the activity of the erythrocytic RBF-dependent enzyme glutathione reductase (EC 1.6.4.2) were studied. The subjects of the study, 2725 residents of Arkhangel'sk oblast, completed a detailed form that included questions about their nutrition and eating habits, lifestyle and occupation, use of alcohol, and family history, along with a self-appraisal and an assessment of psychological status. in residents of the European North of juvenile and senile age The provision with RBF showed a tendency toward a decrease as compared to other age groups of the population. In men, the activity of glutathione reductase was higher than in women in the same age groups. The parameters of provision with RBF were correlated significantly with the level of physical activity, alcohol status, and season of the year.     

Age-Related Changes of NADPH-Diaphorase Positivity in the Rat Rostral Migratory Stream

Summary Accumulating evidence confirms that nitric oxide (NO), a versatile diffusible signaling molecule, contributes to controling of adult neurogenesis. We have previously shown the timing of NADPH-diaphorase (NADPH-d) positivity within the rat rostral migratory stream (RMS) during the first postnatal month. The present study was designed to describe further age-related changes of NO presence in this neurogenic region. The presence of NO synthesizing cells in the RMS was shown by NADPH-d histochemistry and neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) immunohistochemistry. The phenotypic identity of nitrergic cells was examined by double labeling with GFAP and NeuN. Systematic qualitative and quantitative analysis of NADPH-d-positive cells was performed in the neonatal (P14), adult(5 months) and aging (20 months) rat RMS. 1. Nitrergic cells with different distribution pattern and morphological characteristics were present in the RMS at all ages examined. In neonatal animals, small, moderately stained NADPH-d-positive cells were identified in the RMS vertical arm and in the RMS elbow. In adult and aging rats a few labeled cells could be also detected in the RMS horizontal arm. NADPH-d-positive cells in adult and aging rats were characterized by long varicose processes and displayed dark labeling in comparison to the neonatal group. 2. Double immunolabeling has revealed that nNOS-immunoreactivity co-localized with that of NeuN. This indicates that nitrergic cells within the RMS are neurons. 3. Quantitative analysis showed that the number of NADPH-d-positive cells increases with advancing age. The presence of NO producing cells in the RMS of neonatal adult and aging rats indicates, that this proliferating and migratory area is under the influence of NO throughout the entire life of the animals.     

Age-Related Changes of Myelin Proteins in the Rat Peripheral Nervous System

Age-related changes in amounts of myelin proteins from rat sciatic nerve or spinal root were analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). In the aged peripheral nerve myelin, the relative amounts of band 105K and proteins X and Y increased, whereas those of proteins P0 and P1 and band 190K decreased. Band 105K purified by preparative SDS-PAGE exhibited three bands of 105K, 28K, and 21K at the second electrophoresis. A repeated SDS-PAGE did not improve the purity of bank 105K, but increased the ratio of 21K to 28K. Compared with P0 protein, band 105K has a very similar peptide map pattern and amino acid composition, as well as the identical NH2 terminal residue, isoleucine. These findings suggest that band 105K is an aggregate form of P0 protein and its fragment, 21K. The 21K protein is a distinct entity from X protein. The quantitative and qualitative alterations in myelin proteins, as we report here, may reflect continuing demyelination and remyelination in aged peripheral nerves.